Baked Meatballs

5 from 4 votes

Posted: 03/01/21 Updated: 09/04/21

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Simple, easy baked meatballs that are full of flavor and so tender! These meatballs have a crusty outside and are juicy on the inside. Toss them with spaghetti sauce for an easy spaghetti and meatballs dinner or eat them alone. Either way is perfect!

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Close up image of Baked Meatballs in bowl

My favorite way to make homemade meatballs is to bake them because it’s so much easier than cooking on the stove. Instead of frying them in a skillet on the stove in batches, I just bake them in a hot oven. They come out so tender and juicy with a delicious caramelized crust, but with a lot less effort and oil.

We love these with pasta and sauce, but there are so many ways to use them – you can serve them all on their own with a side dish or use them to make meatball subs!

You can even make them ahead and freeze them for easy dinners when it’s busy. So much more flavor than frozen meatballs from the grocery store!

Contents show

Why This Recipe Works

They are baked instead of fried for easy clean-up!
Meatballs in the oven are a lot easier because you cook them all at the same time – no standing at the stove, cooking them in batches.
They are made with simple ingredients and are so tender, juicy, and full of flavor!
Baked Italian meatballs pair with many side dishes, so this is a recipe you can add to your rotation and never have it the same way twice.

Once you make meatballs in the oven, you’ll never go back to the stovetop method again. You’re going to love them!

Overhead image of Baked Meatballs Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Meat: This is a beef meatball recipe, but you could substitute ground turkey, pork, or even ground chicken. Just keep in mind that if you use a lean meat the meatballs can dry out easier because of less fat.

Binder: The egg in this recipe is what binds the meat together. Breadcrumbs also help with the texture making the meatballs soft and tender.

Flavor: These are Italian-style meatballs, so there are dried herbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and onion in the mix. Don’t forget to add the salt and pepper, too!

Products Needed

How to Make Meatballs

Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Mix: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. You can mix with a spoon, but the easiest way is to use your hands. You want to mix just until the ingredients are incorporated.

Roll: Shape the mixture into 1” balls and place each of them on the baking sheet.

Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the meatballs are 165°F.

Glass bowl with ingredients for baked meatballs

Glass bowl with mixture for baked meatballs

Different Ways to Serve Them

There are lots of different ways to have these oven baked meatballs for dinner!

Serve them all on their own with a yummy side dish like Parmesan Orzo or Cheesy Garlic Butter Noodles.
Toss them with spaghetti and marinara for a comforting Spaghetti and Meatballs dinner!
Pile them on top of Homemade Mashed Potatoes with some delicious Brown Gravy for a hearty meal.
If you want a vegetable side dish, try Glazed Carrots, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, or Broccoli Salad.

Recipe FAQs

Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?

Frying meatballs in oil creates a crust on the outside that adds a lot of flavor. You can also achieve this in the oven when you bake them at a higher temperature. So, either way is delicious! I prefer baking them because it’s faster and not as messy.

How do you know when meatballs are done?

The easiest way to know when meatballs are done is to check the temperature with a meat thermometer. They should be 165°F in the center.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can always cut one in half. If it’s cooked all the way through it won’t be pink in the middle.

Is it better to bake meatballs or cook them in sauce?

You can cook meatballs in sauce without browning them, but you don’t get the added flavor from browning them first. I think this really depends on personal preference – I like them to get that nice crust on the outside before adding them to tomato sauce. This also helps them hold together.

One thing you can do is bake them long enough to brown them on the outside and then finish cooking them in the sauce on the stove. That’s the best of both worlds!

Can you overcook them?

Yes, you can definitely overcook meatballs! If they are cooked too long they will be dry and tough.

Can you make them ahead?

Yes, you can make and bake them ahead for easy dinners. Cooked meatballs will last for three to four days in the refrigerator. Or you can freeze them for several months.

No matter how you choose to serve them, I think you’re going to love this baked Italian meatballs recipe. They’re so easy to make and so versatile you’ll want to have them for dinner every week.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes

My Easy Taco Meat is great for tacos, burritos, nachos, or quesadillas!
Make a batch of Hamburger Soup to warm up when it’s cold!
Mini Meatloaf is a faster way to make a delicious homemade meatloaf – it’s a family favorite!
For a cozy dinner, make my Goulash – it’s a cozy pasta dinner you will love!

Try it and love it? Rate it, please! Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day!

If you snap a photo, please be sure to tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your delicious dinner!!

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!